The Brazilian government has published legal guidelines for the popular caipirinha, the most common and extended alcoholic drink of the 190 million population country, and which becomes mandatory as of this month.
"Caipirinha, the most typical national drink of Brazil with an alcohol grading between 15 and 30%, at 20 degrees Celsius, elaborated with cachaça (sugarcane liquor), lime and sugar, can be blended with water if necessary to adapt the alcoholic grading", reads the official text published Friday in the Diário Oficial (Union's Gazette).
The purpose of the bill is to establish the guidelines of "identity and quality" to which all caipirinha elaborated in Brazil for domestic consumption or export must abide.
As far as ingredients the bill is somewhat flexible with the sugar which can be crystal or refined, and tolerates its total or partial replacement with glucose but never with synthetic or natural sweeteners.
Regarding cachaça the spirit from sugar cane, the bill establishes that it must respect quality and identity characteristics and standards. Lime can be dehydrated but lime juice must be present in the blend with a minimum proportion of one percent with at least 5% acidity.
Water is considered optional and its use is restricted exclusively to adapt alcoholic graduation to the 15 to 36 degrees strip margins. No mention of ice in spite of the fact most Brazilians have caipirinha cool.
The use of any ingredients that could alter the "natural sensory qualities" of the final spirit such as colorings is strictly banned. There's also a ban on bottling the drink in pharmaceutical type, syringe, vaporizers or blister type containers.
However the Agriculture Ministry rules published in Friday's official gazette fail to say what punishment awaits those responsible for illicit caipirinhas.
Mercopress
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written by ch.c., November 04, 2008
written by João da Silva, November 04, 2008
The Brazilian government has published legal guidelines for the popular caipirinha, the most common and extended alcoholic drink of the 190 million population country, and which becomes mandatory as of this month.
Excuse me, is this article saying that the Brazilian Government wants to invade the Brazilian homes and set rules as how to prepare "Caipirinha" ? Great. No wonder that Raul Castro is visiting Brasil to teach the "Rulers" as how to control the private lives of poor Brazilians by establishing " Rules and Regulations". It implies that if our "National Drink" is not prepared according to the "Guide Lines", we will be jailed? I am horrified.
Que Merda é essa? Would Lord Augustus care to comment?
written by VinnyCarioca, November 04, 2008
part of this article....to no avail. I'm surprised at the serious tone of it. The use of any ingredients that could alter the "natural sensory qualities" of the final spirit such as colorings is strictly banned.
How strict?????????
Let's hope the Caipirinha Enforcement unit of the Military Police conducts themselves in a responsible fashion.
written by João da Silva, November 04, 2008
Let's hope the Caipirinha Enforcement unit of the Military Police conducts themselves in a responsible fashion.
Vinny, my dear fellow. How can you be so cruel towards our Military Police, when they have no control over the "Rules and Regulations" set by the "Commies"?. I bet they are as upset as we are over this issue. Are the Commies going to set standards for the Lemons used in our "Caipirinhas" ? What happens if we can not find lemons with right diameters, because of poor harvest? This issue, IMHO, is very serious, my dear fellow. I urge you (in your customary methodical manner) study the matter and come out with a viable solution.
Another question: Do they grow Lemons in Switzerland?
written by Kirk, November 05, 2008
written by Me, November 05, 2008
